The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was also reportedly working proactively ahead of Harvey, reinforcing firearms dealers before Harvey struck.

Guns are a popular choice for looters, which prompted the agency to warn local licensed vendors to secure their inventory before the storm came ashore.

In the flooded aftermath, ATF agents worked with the Houston Police Department to protect firearms dealers from looting, but their efforts were dodged by at least a few determined bandits who still managed to steal the weapons.